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Marine Conservation Science and Policy: Salt Marshes

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Marine Conservation Science and Policy: Salt Marshes Marine Conservation Science and Policy : Salt Marshes Grade Level: Focus Question What is a salt marsh? What animals live in this environment and why is it important? How can 4th – 12th we better protect this habitat ? Subject Area Objectives Science Students will explore the salt marsh and the animals that inhabit this important ecosystem. Biology Students will learn to: Duration • Identify the four zones of a salt marsh. 1.5 Hrs • Recognize threats to this habitat and elaborate ways to protect it. • Work with a partner to demonstrate knowledge by creating an educational poster. Benchmarks: This will be a project-based activity where students will work together to design an educational poster on the importance of the salt marsh. Body oF Knowledge Life Science Background Nature of Science Salt marshes are coastal wetlands that are flooded and drained daily by salt water washed in by the tides. These saltwater feature grasses, rushes and other non-woody plants, Big Idea while trees and shrubs are not found here. Their sediment may be composed of mud and peat, Organization and Development of a spongy material made of decomposing plant matter that often causes the rotten-egg smell Living Organisms. usually associated with marshes. These interPdal zones are usually divided into several areas The Practice of Science that demonstrate disPnct habitat condiPons, including Pdal creeks, mudflats, low marsh, and high marsh, with a border of uplands that is just outside of the Pde’s reach. Standards SC.K.N.1.1 The Pdal creeks and pools are bodies of water that are affected by the ebb and flow of the ocean Pdes, forming an estuary with variable salinity. Some of these bodies of water may be Collaborate with a partner to collect information. full all year while others may be filled and empPed with the des, depending on depth. This SC.K.N.1.4 zone also features salt pannes, shallow depressions that evaporaPng seawater leaves so salty that only glasswort and a few other organisms can tolerate these areas. Tidal creeks are an Observe and create a visual representation of an object. essenPal nursery for shrimp, crabs, and fish including flounder, bluefish and bass. Diamondback SC.8. G.5.2 terrapins, saltmarsh watersnakes and even river oUers can also be found here. Describe the impact of human As Pdes retreat, they oVen expose long, low areas of mud composed of silt and clay. modifications on the environment These expanses are called mudflats and host many creatures including oysters, fiddler crabs, and ecosystems. sand shrimp, mussels and clams that burrow in the sediment during low-de to avoid exposure SC.912L.17.16 to the sun and to predators. Discuss the large-scale environmental impacts r esulting As the land rises slightly, salt-loving plants called halophytes are able to take root and form the low marsh. These species most commonly include smooth cordgrass, saltwort, and from human activity. others, which are able to withstand the high salinity, brought in daily by high Pde. Although the high marsh is only elevated a few cenmeters above the low marsh, the slight height makes all the difference in salinity, so that this zone is usually only inundated by the highest Pdes twice a month rather than daily. Plants of the high marsh usually include salt hay, spike grass and black South Florida History & Ecology – 2012,2015 Deering Estate. All rights reserved. 1 Vocabulary: Background rush. Beyond the interdal zone, just clear of the salty Pde line, the uplands form the marsh Salt Marsh: border and some higher isolated islands. These areas are only flooded during storm surges and Coastal wetlands that are flooded and extreme astronomical Pdes, so organisms here do not experience the severe salt stress of the drained daily by the ocean tide. interPdal zone. This area hosts a high diversity of trees, shrubs and herbs including seaside goldenrod, marsh elder, switchgrass, sweet gale and many more. Peat: Because the waters of salt marshes are constantly being flooded with fresh nutrients and A spongy material made of decaying minerals, they provide a rich environment for a myriad of organisms, including 75% of plant matter that often forms part of important fisheries species like blue crab, shrimp and finfish. The salt marsh provides feeding the root-filled and waterlogged and nesting grounds for crocodiles, turtles, marsh rabbits, raccoons, manatees, muskrats, and substrate of salt marshes. marsh deer, as well as vital bird habitat, hosting herons, egrets, osprey, songbirds, eagles and shorebirds. While salt marshes offer crucial habitat for millions of organisms, they also offer Salt Pannes: essenPal services to humans. Salt marshes protect shorelines from erosion by buffering wave Shallow water -retaining depressions in acPon and trapping sediments. They also reduce flooding by slowing and absorbing rainwater, tidal creeks that have increasing levels and protect water quality by filtering runoff and by absorbing excess nutrients. An esPmated of salinity as water evaporates. 75% of seafood harvested in coastal waters is spawned in the salt marsh, contribuPng millions of dollars to the economy and providing an important protein source. MudFlats: A low-lying expanse of mud in the salt Though awareness of this important habitat is growing, salt marshes still face several marsh intertidal zone that is exposed threats. Most salt marshes were filled in and destroyed by real estate developments before their significance was understood. Dredging and diking can dramatically increase or decrease and flooded with the ebb and flow of the ocean tide. the water flow through the marsh, stressing or drowning marsh plants and increasing erosion. Fertilizer and pesticide runoff from roads, farms and mosquito control can overload the marshes ability to regulate pollution, causing toxins to accumulate, poisoning and killing the Low Marsh : marsh, seafood, and coastal habitats. Overfishing and indiscriminate trapping prohibit Low-lying levels of the marsh covered population regeneration: if the small shrimp, crabs and fish aren’t allowed to grow big enough by salt-loving plants that can to produce offspring, then there won’t be any for future generations to enjoy. The salt marsh is withstand the daily influx of the tide. also threatened by climate change, sea level rise, and storms, as this fragile ecosystem is vulnerable to salinity changes, water flow alterations, and erosion. High Marsh : Slightly higher levels of the marsh that Although these threats may seem daunting, there are many actions we can all take to are only affected by the highest tides ensure the future of the salt marsh through environmental stewardship. Reducing fertilizer twice a month rather than daily, and pesticide use on lawns can help reduce non-point source pollution, as these products are resulting in slightly lower soil salinity. washed downstream in the rain and can affect ecosystems far from home. Always put depositing trash in the trashcan is important, but recycling or reducing waste in the first place is Uplands: even better as trash doesn’t just disappear when it’s placed in the bin. Adhering to catch and size regulations, season limitations and licensing rules is a vital practice that will help ensure The higher ground bordering the marsh or sometimes isolated on future species populations. Additionally, educating others by taking them out on a marsh hike islands that are above the intertidal or joining a local volunteer group to replant marsh grass are great examples of responsible zone and are only flooded during environmental stewardship. extreme events such as storm surges. Supplemental Resources Listen to “What good is a salt marsh?” by George W. Frame. Highlights for Kids. Environmental Stewardship hps://www.highlightskids.com/audio-story/what-good-salt-marsh The responsible use and protection of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the natural environment through http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/estuaries/media/supp_estuar06a_saltmarsh. conservation and sustainable “Dynamics of the Salt Marsh.” Sea Science. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. practices. http://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/pub/seascience/dynamic.html South Florida History & Ecology – 2012,2015 Deering Estate. All rights reserved. 2 Vocabulary: Salt Marsh Educational Poster Materials Salt Marsh: • Large construction paper, posterboard, or other paper Coastal wetlands that are flooded • Crayons, markers, or colored pencils and drained daily by the ocean tide, • Tape for hanging posters essential habitat for many birds, fish, crustaceans and mollusks. This habitat is divided into levels of tidal Procedure creeks, mudflats, low marsh, high marsh and uplands, each with distinct 1. Divide students into pairs and give each pair a sheet of large construcPon paper and environmental conditions. coloring utensils. 2. Have students draw an educaPonal poster promoPng environmental stewardship of Environmental Stewardship the salt marsh. The poster should contain some of the following elements, depending The responsible use and protection of on grade level: the natural environment through -the four levels of the interPdal zone and the uplands conservation and sustainable -a reason the salt marsh is an essenPal ecosystem practices. -an example of a negave human impact on the salt marsh -an example of environmental stewardship of the salt marsh Extension Activity: -a slogan or message promoPng environmental stewardship of this valuable ecosystem 3. Have pairs briefly present their posters and encourage discussion of effecPve Have students research one of their communicaPon and educaPonal methods to maximize impact, possibly analyzing favorite salt marsh animals or plants. which slogans were most efficacious in accomplishing the objecPve of promoPng good The student s will investigate the stewardship. VoPng (anonymously avoids hurt feelings!) by peers or adults can add habitat, necessities, threats and importance of their chosen subject scope. and write a summary. Worksheet Answer Key Assessment: 1. C. Kayaking is environmental stewardship because it allows recreaon in a natural area without harming the resource.
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